Peggy Oldfield MScN, RN
Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital
Windsor, ON
Brianna Keyeux MScN(c), RN
Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital
Windsor, ON
Stefanie Willoughby RPN
Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital
Windsor, ON
It is difficult to conceptually link LEAN manufacturing processes with the professional work carried out by nurses. LEAN quality improvement strategies are beginning to be used in the health care sector to address inefficiencies, by reducing re-work, eliminating waste and facilitating smooth flow. Most often these efforts have addressed the physical organization of a workplace.
One team identified that the most common cause of wasted time and effort was the lack of focus relating to what needed to be accomplished during a patient’s hospital stay. Nurses were busy all the time providing hands-on care and attending to all the orders received from physicians. Nursing plans of care were dutifully completed, but had no impact on the actual work that was taking place. Using LEAN methodology, the team was able to totally revise how work is organized. They moved from organizing nursing efforts based on medical orders, to clearly articulating the nursing goals, and utilizing them to direct their professional activities. Nursing activity and documentation is now based on the nursing process. Use of the LEAN methodology was the key to facilitating the transition. Both nurses and patients are much more satisfied with this approach to patient care.